“It’s when people come,” said Director of Public Relations Natalie Bushaw about the pre-dawn opening.

On Wednesday, April 10, just days before the grand opening, Bushaw led The Birmingham News/AL.com along for a tour of the new premises. As staff quickly worked to perfect the final details, Bushaw explained the layout of the facility, the mindset of its staff and the overall goals of the company.

Because Life Time Vestavia Hills will be open every day from 4 a.m. until midnight, the front-desk staff is responsible for setting the mood right from the beginning, said Bushaw.

“Sometimes, getting up to workout is the last thing I want to do,” said the busy mom of two, who is also a longtime Life Time member, “but when I walk into Life Time, I know I’m doing something right.”

That sense of belonging, said Bushaw, is crucial to the success of Life Time. The company operates with the mentality that it’s not about getting fit for summer, but about maintaining a healthy level of fitness throughout one’s lifetime.

Also of importance, said Bushaw, is the idea that those goals should not be limited to the adults in a family, but should also extend to the children. For that reason, she said, Life Time’s Founder Bahram Akradi strove to create locations that act more like “a collection of in-store boutiques,” designed to offer an array of services for everyone in the family all under one roof.

The growth of specialized fitness centers—like Pilates and Yoga studios—said Bushaw, led to a new way of thinking. Instead of asking fitness-conscious individuals to travel all over town to various fitness centers and stop along the way to drop off their kids at karate and gymnastics, the company worked out a plan to offer it all at one centralized location.

Interactive child center featuring a computer center, children’s activity areas and separate infant playroom, as well as special programming for kids including summer camps. Members receive two hours of childcare per day with paid junior dues.

Complimentary towel and locker service and an initial 14-day money-back guarantee

In addition, Life Time Vestavia Hills will feature the company’s first outdoor Alpha Tower—a two-story workout station designed to increase strength, power, speed, endurance, agility, coordination and balance complete with climbing ropes and fire poles.

“The excitement is definitely building in and around Vestavia Hills as we approach the opening of our first Life Time location in Alabama,” said Jeff Zwiefel, executive vice president and chief of operations in a press release. “Our General Manager, Sam Remus, and his team live and work in the community and are committed to exceeding all expectations of Vestavia Hills residents.”

The new center is bringing more than just a great place to exercise: it’s brought jobs to the area. During its construction, there were between 300-500 men and women working on the facility. Now, with the building process completed, Life Time hired approximately 280 employees—positions ranging from general staff positions to certified instructors, said Bushaw. As different seasons approach, the facility will hire some more, she added, eventually reaching a staff of anywhere between 350 to 380.

“These are all people who live in the Birmingham area,” said Bushaw, “they know how to connect with their neighbors.”

In recent weeks, Ellis Ferreira, a University of Alabama All-American and two-time Grand Slam Tennis Pro, joined Life Time to lead the club’s preeminent tennis program.

“We’re confident we’ve got the best programs and the best people in place to deliver a unique, healthy way of life destination for individuals, families and organizations,” said Zwiefel. “We can’t wait to open our doors and showcase all that we have to offer the Vestavia community.”

After all, added Bushaw, the connections between members and staff are critical to both the success of the facility and the fitness goals of those who frequent the facilities.

“It quickly becomes a second home,” said Bushaw.

Monthly memberships range in price from $83 for a single membership, $143 for a couple’s membership and $183 for a family of 3 or more between the ages of 12-20 (adult single membership kicks in at 21). Kids memberships range from $20 per month for two hours of time in the Child Center, $60 for Child Center privileges plus a weekly swim lesson and $80 for the Kids Academy which includes access to the Child Center and a variety of fitness classes. The one-time administration/joining fee ranges from $89 to $129.